Eye on O.C.: For Russia, some love

Music performed by Third Wheel, from left, Karin Kantenwein Fabiero, Rebecca Rivera, and Adrienne Geffen, are seen during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa.ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

Soft, sensual fur. On hats, in wraps and as trim outlining the sleek silhouettes of evening jackets – guests at the Pacific Symphony's opening night celebration embraced the theme “From Russia With Love,” accessorizing their outfits with accents fit for Anna Karenina.

“I got this in Russia,” said Jane Taylor of Newport Beach about her fox fur hat at the pre-concert cocktail reception on the Center Club's patio, where a cool breeze signaled the start of fall. Event co-chairwoman Ruth AnnEvans showed off a vintage-looking necklace. A full-length cloak glided about and evening gowns brushed the floor, and gentlemen in white tie and tails stood out in the crowd.

The summer season ended with Tchaikovsky and the new one would begin with 19-year-old Conrad Tao playing Rachmaninoff's third concerto and Carl St.Clair conducting Brahms' fourth symphony and Peter Boyer's “Festivities.”

Supporters and staff happily returned to the classics. “I'm excited about the blend of new music and traditional repertoire,” said Pacific Symphony president John Forsyte, as a woodwind ensemble played excerpts from Russian composers that included a snippet of Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite. “I love that mix.”

Probably as much as he loved Sandy Segerstrom

Daniels discreetly slipping him a check minutes earlier. A joyous announcement followed during dinner – the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation would continue to underwrite the Classics Series for the next 10 years.

That thrilled patrons such as Dr. Richard Afable, CEO of Covenant Health Network. “The Pacific Symphony is a cultural thread to this community, a celebration of music and the arts on behalf of all,” he said.

But the night catered to the inner circle, who dined on beet salad with rose petals, sea bass and petite filet served on a table set with gold linen and lush arrangements of hydrangeas and roses in crystal pedestal vases. After the concert, bubbly flowed as guests helped themselves to desserts and a candy bar with Russian chocolates in the Center Club's lounge. Violin cases were quickly tucked away and musicians mingled as they had during the cocktail reception. “We've had more time together and we have new blood,” said principal violist Robert Becker. “The whole level of the orchestra is better right from the first rehearsal.”

What about that flashy soloist? “I just wanna break his hands,” Becker quipped.

Music performed by Third Wheel, from left, Karin Kantenwein Fabiero, Rebecca Rivera, and Adrienne Geffen, are seen during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and John Daniels pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Otis and Patricia Cranford of Newport Coast pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Barbara and Mark Chapin Johnson, board member, pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
A salad plate is served during the reception for the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Julia poses with her father Richard Afable, CEO of Hoag healthcare facilities, during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Guest pianist Conrad Tao, left, and conductor Carl St. Clair take a bow during Pacific Symphony's season opener at Segerstrom Concert Hall Sept. 26. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Trumpet player Barry Perkins, left, and principal violist Robert Becker attend the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
A center piece is seen during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration reception at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Jane Taylor wears a fox fur hat from Russia as she goes with the "Rachmaninoff from Russia with Love" theme during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Vina Williams and her husband Tom Slattery, and Elizabeth Pearson, pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Conductor Carl St. Clair leads the Pacific Symphony at Segerstrom Concert Hall Sept. 26. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Guest pianist Conrad Tao performs during Pacific Symphony's season opener at Segerstrom Concert Hall Sept. 26. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
John Forsyte, Janet Ray, Sheila Peterson and Jim Peterson attend the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Guest pianist Conrad Tao performs during Pacific Symphony's season opener at Segerstrom Concert Hall Spet. 26. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Richard and Jane Taylor pose as Jane wears a Russian hat made out of fox fur during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Beril Akcay shows her gown along with her fox fur coat and Kari Kerr wears a Tadashi gown as they pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Beril Akcay shows her gown along with her fox fur coat during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Dancers from UC Irvine, Clair Trevor School of the Arts, perform during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
A dancer from UC Irvine, Clair Trevor School of the Arts, performs during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Bill Gillespie, Susan St.Clair and her husband conductor Carl St.Clair attend the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Susan and her husband, Carl St. Clair conductor, pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Guests dine during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration reception at The Center Club in Costa Mesa on Thursday, September 26, 2013.. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Composer Peter Boyer takes the stage for recognition after Pacific Symphony performed "Festivities," one of his works, during the symphony's season opener at Segerstrom Concert Hall on Sept. 26. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
John with his wife Ruth Ann Evans, co-chairs; from left, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, honorary comittee member; and John Forsyte, president; pose during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Dancers from UC Irvine, Clair Trevor School of the Arts, perform during the Pacific Symphony's 2013-14 Opening Night Celebration at The Center Club in Costa Mesa. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

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